A coalition of women’s rights activists have expressed concern over sexist stereotypes that are framing the public discourse over PKR president Wan Azizah Wan Ismail’s suitability as menteri besar.

“When Lim Guan Eng became the chief minister of Penang in 2008, we heard fewer murmurs about his inexperience or the possibility that his father may be directing his decisions as chief minister from behind the scenes.

“Certainly, his biological functions were not considered to be relevant criteria for his office. Why the double standards for a woman MB candidate?” the Joint Action Group for Gender Equality (JAG) said in a statement today.

The group is comprised of seven NGOs, including Tenaganita, All Women’s Action Society (Awam), and Persatuan Kesedaran Komuniti Selangor (Empower).

It said that it would support a woman menteri besar as part of its urging for equal representation of women in public office, and Wan Azizah already has enough support from Selangor’s assemblypersons although the ongoing Selangor crisis is “poisoned by mud-slinging and unethical behaviour”.

“Gender should not be a barrier to women taking up decision-making positions, whether explicitly or implicitly.

“Malaysia has one of the lowest percentages of women as elected representatives in the Asia Pacific region. It desperately needs more women as political leaders and decision-makers,” it said.

JAG urged a speedy resolution to the crisis, and for Wan Azizah to give priority to pushing more progressive gender policies.

Previously, Wan Azizah had been accused of being a puppet to her husband and PKR de facto leader Anwar Ibrahim and of inexperience - charges which she had dismissed .

If sworn in to replace the incumbent Abdul Khalid Ibrahim, she would become the first female head of government in any Malaysian state.

Selangor crisis today

8.21am: Social media analysis agency Politweet says PKR's move to oust Khalid backfired online

12.56pm: PKR declines to reveal its plans if sultan rejects Wan Azizah

1.51pm: Analyst says Pakatan parties ' forced to be friends ' after the crisis

2.22pm: MB apologises for the crisis, says the attacks against him is a price he has to pay to uphold integrity

2.35pm: JAG, a coalition of women NGOs, says Wan Azizah unfairly criticised because of gender

3.25pm: Lim Kit Siang urges Pakatan leaders to meet on how to regain trust after MB crisis

3.42pm: Former Selangor exco member Rodziah Ismail says news portal defamed her by claiming she resigned as part of a 'deal'

6pm: PAS reveals it mooted Azmin Ali as an alternate MB candidate after its president Abdul Hadi Awang met sultan